Functional Resistance Exercise Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A functional resistance exercise apparatus includes a glove for a user&#39;s hand. At least one loop is securely disposed or formed on the glove, and a resistive element is attachable to the loop which generates force in opposition to the user&#39;s movement of the hand wearing the glove in substantially any direction. The resistive element is preferably an elastic band securable at one end to the loop and at the other end to a fixed point, or a cable attached to a weight. The apparatus preferably also includes a vest having at least one loop attached thereto. The band is attachable at one end to the glove and at the other end to the vest. Both the glove and the vest preferably have reinforced portions upon which their respective loops are attached to prevent stretching or tearing of the glove or vest.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Domestic priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/113,992, entitled “Functional Resistance Glove” filed Nov. 12,2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to exercise equipment. More specifically, theinvention relates to exercise equipment that enables the user to enjoyresistance training and/or rehabilitation while performing the varioussporting activities for which the user is training in the first place,also known as functional resistance training.

2. Description of Related Art

Physical fitness is extremely important to a growing segment of thepopulation. As the public becomes increasingly aware of already-knownbenefits of exercise, more and more people are exercising, in a varietyof different ways. Some lift weights, some take yoga or similar classes,others run, bike, or pursue other cardiovascular activities. Some peopleenjoy combinations of all of the above.

Professional athletes and serious amateur competitors exercise quiteoften. One can develop one's skills in a sport by performing exercisesthat duplicate or simulate the motions required to perform that sport.For example, a baseball player might swing an extra-heavy bat or aweighted bat to develop stronger oblique muscles; that way, when calledupon to swing a regular-weight bat during a game, the batter iswell-equipped to crush the ball.

However, there are a lot of sports that involve a number of differentmovements for which there is no relevant equipment like a bat. Infootball, for example, wide receivers and running backs need to be ableto run quickly and powerfully while holding/protecting the football. Inboxing, the boxer must develop a whole slew of muscles and skillsAthletes need to be able to perform the activities of their sports in apractice or exercise setting while keeping their hands unencumbered byholding weights or the like. Additionally, when athletes or would-beathletes injure themselves, it is often extremely helpful and necessaryfor the injured person to undergo physical therapy to recover fully.

A field of physical fitness training and therapy has developed toaddress these needs, called functional resistance training. Infunctional resistance training, the person attempts to perform themovements and routines of his or her sport or activity, however someform of weight or load is added to the person to impede or retard theperson's progress. For example, some people wear ankle or wrist weightswhen they jog, run, or box. These have the deleterious effect ofinterfering with the user's natural gait and movements, particularlybecause the additional weight is concentrated at the remote ends of theperson's limbs. Others wear weighted vests which, unlike ankle and wristweights, distribute the additional load much more evenly over the body.However, weighted vests also tend to put more strain on the wearer'sback, knees, and other joints. Some athletes will also attempt to runwhile dragging a heavy item such as a cinderblock. Since it can bedifficult to drag a cinderblock along the ground, weights are commonlyplaced on a sled fitted with runners or the like so that the load hasless frictional resistance with the ground but still provides aselective amount of weight for the user to drag around. A further optionincludes attempting to run while wearing a device that providessignificant air resistance, such as a parachute or a sail.

In addition to the above-mentioned deficiencies with conventionalfunctional resistance equipment, all of the above suffer from a common,major problem: they only provide resistance in substantially onedirection. Ankle, wrist, or vest weights only provide resistance in astraight downward direction, owing to gravity. This downward pull doesnot lend significant resistance to movement in any direction other thanup. The sled or parachute serves only to pull the user backward, andonly at the torso where it is usually attached. It is possible toexercise while submerged in water; the water provides much moreresistance to movement than does air. However, it is impractical to usewater for motion resistance for many activities, such as those whereone's arms go above one's head (as the water level would have to be overthe head of the person), or running (as the activity would be veryslippery), or for physical rehabilitation in general. Of course, usingwater for motion resistance also requires a pool, which by itself, isextremely limiting.

Accordingly, there is a long-felt need to provide a functionalresistance exercise device or system that will actually provideresistance to the user's movements regardless of the direction of themovement, in substantially any location or setting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a functional resistance exercise apparatus thatincludes a glove wearable on a user's hand. At least one attachmentmechanism such as a first loop is securely disposed on the glove, and aresistive load element is attachable to the loop which generates forcein opposition to the user's movement of the hand wearing the glove insubstantially any direction. The resistive element is preferably anelastic band securable at one end to the first loop and at the other endto a substantially fixed point. One end of the elastic band may furtherinclude a handle adapted to be held by a hand other than the hand uponwhich the glove is worn, i.e., the user's other hand, or the hand ofanother person such as a trainer or exercise buddy. Alternatively, theresistive element can be a cable connectable at one end to a weight andat the other end to the first loop on the glove. As another alternative,the resistance can be generated by another device, either knownconventionally or to be developed.

The apparatus preferably also includes a torso-covering garment such asa vest having at least one loop attached thereto. The elastic band isattachable at one end to a loop on the glove and at the other end to aloop on the vest.

In the preferred embodiment, the loop on the glove includes an openablering securable to the resistive element. In the case where the resistiveelement is an elastic band, the band may be provided with a loop at oneor both ends which may be securable to the openable ring on the glove.Of course, the loop on the glove may be permanently closed and theelastic band may be provided with an openable ring. Alternatively, theloop on the glove may be made from the glove material itself by formingat least two holes in the glove and threading at least a portion of theresistive element through those at least two holes.

Both the glove and the vest preferably have reinforced portions uponwhich their respective loops are attached (and/or holes are formed) soas to prevent stretching or tearing of either the glove or the vest bythe application of the resistive load. The reinforced portion of eitherelement is preferably less stretchable than a main portion thereof.Multiple loops are preferably provided on both the glove and/or thetorso-covering garment so as to provide greater flexibility, greatercomfort, and more options as to the direction of the application of theresistive load.

The invention may include an outer cover disposed on the glove adaptedto selectively cover the loop(s) on the glove. The outer cover mayinclude a closing mechanism adapted to selectively secure the outercover over the loop(s) on the glove. The closing mechanism may be asnap, a zipper, a hook-and-loop-type fastener (e.g., Velcro®), or thelike, and/or any combination thereof.

Most generally, the invention is a functional resistance exerciseapparatus having a glove wearable on a user's hand, the glove having amain section. At least one resistive load attachment mechanism isdisposed on the glove, adapted to receive an attachable load whichgenerates force in opposition to the user's movement of the hand wearingthe glove in substantially any direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B are rear and front perspective views of a glove portion of afunctional resistance exercise apparatus in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 2A-B are rear and front perspective views of a slightly modifiedfunctional resistance exercise apparatus in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 3A-B are rear and front perspective views of another slightlymodified functional resistance exercise apparatus in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 4A-B are rear elevation views of another functional resistanceexercise apparatus in accordance with the invention having a cover, andFIGS. 4C-D are rear elevation views of a slight modification to theapparatus of FIGS. 4A-B.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a functional resistance exercise apparatus inaccordance with the invention having an elastic band resistive element.

FIGS. 6A-B are rear elevation views of another functional resistanceexercise apparatus in accordance with the invention having a cover, andFIG. 6C is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIGS. 6A-B.

FIGS. 7A-B are rear elevation views of a slightly modified functionalresistance exercise apparatus in accordance with the invention having acover.

FIGS. 8A-B are rear elevation views of yet another slightly modifiedfunctional resistance exercise apparatus in accordance with theinvention having a cover.

FIGS. 9A-B are front and rear elevation views of a functional resistanceexercise torso-covering garment in accordance with the invention for usewith any of the glove apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-8.

FIGS. 10A-B are front and rear elevation views of the torso-coveringgarment of FIGS. 9A-B shown being worn by a user.

FIG. 11 is a schematic of multiple elastic band resistive elements inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the torso-covering garment of FIGS. 9-10 witha pair of gloves attached via a pair of elastic band resistive elementsin accordance with the invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic of a person using the inventive combination ofFIG. 12 in an exemplary manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

Description of the invention will now be given with reference to FIGS.1-13. It should be understood that these figures are exemplary in natureand in no way serve to limit the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the claims appearing hereinbelow.

The fundamental element of the invention is a functional resistanceexercise glove or hand wrap. Several different versions of the inventiveglove/wrap are depicted in FIGS. 1-8; all of these have common features,namely, at least one loop secured to the glove, preferably secured at areinforced section, to which resistive elements such as elastic bands orcables can be attached. The specific features are described below.

FIG. 1 depicts one version of the invention as glove 8. Glove 8 includesa main section 10, fingers 12, and wrist wrap 14. These features arecommon to conventional exercise gloves that are worn to protect theuser's hands from abrasion and callusing from repeated gripping ofdumbbells, barbells, and other exercise equipment, some of which isroughly knurled for better gripping. The invention also includes areinforced section 20, made of a material that is less elastic than mainsection 10 and is thus less likely to be torn or stretched when pulled.Formed on reinforced section 20 are one or more loops 22 to which aresistive element (to be described below) may be attached. In thepreferred embodiment, loop 22 also includes a ring 24 to which theresistive element may be more easily attached. It should be understoodthat the “loop” to which the resistive element may be attached is eitherthe fabric loop 22 or the loop of ring 24 or some other portion of theglove itself. Attaching the resistive element to one or the other or toboth, or via threading it though holes in the glove material itself(discussed below), are all considered to be within the scope of theinvention.

Depending on manufacturer preference, ring 24 may be a closed loop ringsuch as a metal or plastic D-ring, or it may be an openable loop ringsuch as a carabiner ring. (Rings 24 shown in FIG. 1A are closed looprings which are permanently attached to loops 22.) In any event, whetherrings 24 are made to be removable or permanently attached to loops 22,loops 22 are preferably designed to be integrally formed with the glove,more preferably integrally formed with the reinforced section 20 of theglove.

One or more loops 22 and rings 24 may be provided; as shown in FIG. 1A,four loops 22 respectively secure four rings 24 substantially in astraight line. Multiple loops/rings offer the user the ability to changethe location of a single resistive element to alter the angle ofresistive force generated against the user's movement and/or to enable agreater degree of flexibility for various different movements. Forexample, were one to perform negative wrist curls using the invention,one would preferably attach the resistive element to the most distalring 24 (the one closest to the fingers) to provide the biggest momentarm for the load away from the pivot point of the wrist. Multipleloops/rings also offer the user the ability to attach multiple resistiveelements to the same glove. For example, should a person have developedsufficient strength to require more resistance than a single resistiveelement can provide, she could attach two or more. Alternatively, shouldthe resistive elements be made available in various resistive strengths,one can mix and match multiple resistive elements to set the resistancelevel very precisely.

As mentioned above, glove 8 shown in FIGS. 1A-B includes four loops 22respectively securing four rings 24 all in a line along reinforcedsection 20. FIGS. 2A-B depicts glove 8′ which also has four loops 22respectively securing four rings 24. (Here and throughout thespecification, like elements are provided with like reference numerals,and the description thereof will not be repeated.) However, theloops/rings 22-24 of glove 8′ are arranged in a two-by-two patterninstead of in a straight line. FIGS. 3A-B depicts glove 8″, whichincludes five loops 22 respectively securing five rings 24 in an Xpattern. Any number of loops/rings in any convenient pattern may beprovided on the glove. Additionally, all of the above figures depictloops/rings disposed on the rear central portion of the glove; however,loops/rings may also be disposed on the fingers, the wrists, or thepalms of the gloves.

FIGS. 4A-D depict two versions of the functional resistance exerciseglove of the invention with another feature: a cover to shield the loopand ring when not in use. In FIGS. 4A-B, glove 108 possesses a mainsection 10 and a wrist wrap 114; no fingers are provided for this glove,however the presence or absence of fingers or a wrist wrap is notrelevant to the invention. Sewn or otherwise attached to main section110 is reinforced section 120, again, made of a more durable and lesselastic material than main section 110. Loop 124 is mounted intoreinforced section 120, preferably via swivel mount 121 which enablesloop 124 to rotate back and forth in the direction of arrow A. Swivelmounting loop 124 enables for greater flexibility and comfort inperforming a wider variety of exercises. Cover 130 is also sewn orotherwise attached to glove 108 and is adapted to substantially coverloop 124. A closing mechanism is preferably provided integral with cover130 to enable the user to select whether she wants cover 130 to beclosed and secure the loop or to be open and enable access to the loop.In the embodiment shown, the closing mechanism is a zipper 132. Glove108′ shown in FIGS. 4C-D is similar to glove 108, with some variations.First, glove 108′ includes fingers 112. Second, ring 124 of glove 108′is disposed on a loop 122 that is more akin to the loops 22 of FIGS. 1-3than the swivel mount 121 of FIGS. 4A-B. Third, as best shown in FIG.4C, cover 130′ completely covers loop 122 and ring 124, whereas cover130 allowed a portion of loop 124 to remain exposed even when cover 130was closed.

Variations on the loop cover are contemplated, as shown in FIGS. 6-8.For example, in FIG. 6, glove 208 includes main section 210 andreinforced section 220. As shown in FIG. 6B, three loops 224 are swivelmounted to reinforced section 220 via swivel mounts 221. Cover 230includes a snap-type mechanism 232 that allows the user to snap cover230 either over loops 224 as shown in FIG. 6A or onto the palm of theglove as shown in FIG. 6C. More specifically, snap mechanism 232includes four mating snap halves, 232A-D. Snap halves 232A and 232C aredisposed on opposite sides of cover 230 and are configured to mate withsnap halves 232D and 232B, respectively, disposed on the main body ofthe glove. Specifically, when the user wants to uncover loops 224, theuser secures snap half 232A to snap half 232D on the palm of the gloveto move cover 230 out of the way of loops 224. When the user wants tocover loops 224, the users secures snap half 232C to snap half 232B.

FIGS. 7A-B depict a variation on the above-mentioned cover. Here, glove208′ has cover 230′ securable over ring 224 via hook-and-loop-typefastener 231 (e.g.,

Velcro®). One half 231A (e.g., the hook portion) is disposed on the backof glove 208′ substantially near ring 224, and the other mating half231B (e.g., the loop portion) is disposed on the underside of cover230′. The precise locations of the mating halves 231A and 231B are notimportant as long as one half is disposed on the cover and the otherhalf is disposed on the glove so that the engagement of one half to theother causes the cover to be atop the loop and/or ring. Cover 230′ alsooptionally is provided with a slot 235 through which ring 224 may besecured when covered to reduce the overall profile of the glove and tominimize any jiggling or flapping of ring 224 when not in use.

FIGS. 8A-B show another modified version of the glove having a coverthat can remain open. Here, glove 208″ includes cover 230″, and foursections of hook and loop fastener 231A-D. The underside of cover 230″includes hook-and-loop-type fastener half 231B, engageable with matinghook-and-loop-type fastener half 231A disposed on the back of the glove.The top side of cover 230″ includes hook-and-loop-type fastener half231C engageable with mating hook-and-loop-type fastener half 231D alsodisposed on the back of the glove. Cover 230″ is folded down to coverloop/ring 224 as shown in FIG. 8B, and it is folded up to exposeloop/ring 224 as shown in FIG. 8A.

The glove itself, be it glove 8, 8′, 8″, 108, 108″, 208, 208′, or 208″(or variations thereof), offers no functional resistance to the user'smovements unless a resistive element is connected to the glove. Oneembodiment of the resistive element of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5and 11 as elastic band 140 and 40, respectively. Elastic band 140includes a first end 142 having a ring 144 secured thereon. Preferably,ring 144 is a selectively openable ring such as a lobster hook (as shownin the insert of FIG. 5) or a carabiner, e.g., a metal loop with asprung or screwed gate. It is more preferable that the gate of ring 144be spring biased instead of screw openable, as it is typically easierand faster to secure or remove a spring-biased gate loop than a screwedshut gate. In any event, end 142 of elastic band 140 is adapted to beattached to either loop 22/122 or ring 24/124 of the glove.

The elastic band need not necessarily be provided with a ring at itsfirst end. Instead, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6B, one or more holes225 may be provided through glove 208, preferably through reinforcedportion 220. The elastic band may be threaded through one or more ofholes 225 instead of hooking onto ring 224. In this case, the glovematerial between two holes 225 being utilized serves as the securingloop to which the resistive element is attached.

The main section 143 of elastic band 140 is resilient and can bestretched or pulled upon numerous times without tearing or rupturing.Unlike a typical cable and pulley type exercise machine, which affordsthe user resistance in only one direction or a limited number ofdirections, elastic band 140 will offer a resistive force to any motionmade by the user that tends to elongate the band. The elastic materialcan be designed to provide anywhere from very slight resistance to greatresistance to the user's movement. It is preferred that the inventioninclude several elastic bands of varying resistive strength that can bemixed and matched to provide great variability in the amount ofresistance that can be generated. For example, as shown in FIG. 11,bands 40A, 40B, and 40C are each provided with varying resistivestrengths. Each band has a first end 42A-C with an openable loop or ring44A-C, respectively.

The second end of elastic band 40 or 140 must be securable to arelatively fixed point. To enable the securing of second end 46A-C,second end 46A-C each may be provided with an openable ring 48A-Csimilar to the one disposed at the first end 42A-C, e.g., a lobster hookor carabiner. In such a case, second ends 46A-C may be secured to afixed hook on a wall or floor, or to an exercise machine, or the like.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, second end 146 may be provided withhandle 148 for holding by a hand other than the hand wearing theinventive glove. For example, the user's trainer or workout buddy couldhold handle 148 while the user attempted to move his gloved hand away.Less optimally, the user could hold handle 148 is his non-gloved hand.

As another option, the second end 46 of elastic band 40 may be securedto a complementary torso-covering garment such as vest 308 shown inFIGS. 9-10. Vest 308 serves as a convenient “portable” fixed point towhich to attach the distal end 46 of elastic band 40. One does notalways have a personal trainer or a workout buddy handy to grab end 46of elastic band 40, nor is there always a convenient fixed spot toattach a clip or even to tie or wrap the second end around. However, onedoes have one's own body wherever one goes. Vest 308 is adapted to beworn about the torso of the user and provide a variety of stable pointsto which to attach the second end of the elastic band. As with theglove, vest 308 includes a main section 310 and a more rugged, lesselastic reinforced section 320. A plurality of loops 324 are preferablyattached to the reinforced section of the vest, preferably swivelmounted thereto via swivel mounts 321. In addition or in thealternative, a plurality of holes 325 may be provided through which theelastic band may be threaded as mentioned above. Vest 208 is closableabout the person's torso through any number of conventional closingmechanisms, e.g., zipper 332, or laces, snaps, etc. As an added option,vest 308 may include its own built-in parachute (not shown), stowable inparachute carrier 350, for enabling the user to perform conventional airresistance training. Vest 308 may also include a leg or crotch strap(not shown) to prevent the vest from moving up off of the wearer shouldthe wearer move his arms upward (e.g., when doing military presses, anoverhand throw of a ball, etc.). The securement of two gloves to vest308 via two elastic bands 40 is shown in FIG. 12.

In operation, the invention works as follows. The user places a glove onone or both of his hands, secures one end of one or more resistiveelements such as elastic band 140 to the glove and the other end of theresistive element to a substantially fixed point, such as a wall-mountedhook, or to one of the rings 324 or holes 325 of vest 308.Alternatively, the user may secure the glove directly to a cable of aconventional cable-and-pulley-type exercise machine. The user may nowperform any movement of his arms conceivable, and the resistiveelement(s) will generate force in opposition to that movement. As aresult, the user may perform routine movements common in sports andreceive strength training benefits therefrom. For example, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A, a quarterback Q can practice throwing a football Fwhile wearing the glove 8 and vest 308 to augment his arm strengthwithout interfering with the mechanics of his throw or risking injury tohis shoulder (e.g., by using a weighted ball). As another example, aboxer can practice throwing a variety of punches, from any angle, all ofwhich will safely be made more difficult owing to the resistance appliedby the elastic bands connecting his hands to the vest (and in the caseof the boxer, may also serve as a reminder to keep his hands up near hisface/chin). Additionally, the invention is excellent as an aid tophysical therapy for patients recovering from most upper body injuries.

The invention is not limited to the above description. For example, theglove may be made from any suitable material, including but not limitedto cowhide leather, rubber, polyester, spandex, nubuck, deerskin,vegatable tanned leather, chrome tann, synthetic leather, alum tannedleather, rawhide leather, buckskin leather, patent leather, shagreenleather, belting leather, nappa leather, bonded leather, bycast leather,aniline leather, boiled leather, bonded leather, chamois leather,corithian leather, morocco leather, ostrich leather, poromeric imitationleather, clarion, koskin, lorica, birko, birkibur, kydex, cork leather,ocean leather, presstoff, pseudo leather, vegan micro fibers, naugahyde,durabuck, nusuede, hydrolit, ultra suede, and the like.

Having described certain embodiments of the invention, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the above description orthe attached exemplary drawings. Rather, the scope of the invention isdefined by the claims appearing hereinbelow and any equivalents thereofas would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

1. A functional resistance exercise apparatus, comprising: a glovewearable on a user's hand, said glove having a main section; at leastone first loop securely disposed on said glove; and; a resistive elementattachable to said loop which generates force in opposition to theuser's movement of the hand wearing said glove in substantially anydirection.
 2. A functional resistance exercise apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said resistive element comprises: a cable having afirst end securable to said first loop and a second end; and a weightsecurable to said second end of said cable.
 3. A functional resistanceexercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said resistive elementcomprises an elastic band securable to said loop on said glove.
 4. Afunctional resistance exercise apparatus according to claim 3, saidelastic band comprising a first end securable to said first loop on saidglove and a second end securable to a substantially fixed point.
 5. Afunctional resistance exercise apparatus according to claim 4, saidsecond end further comprising a handle adapted to be held by a handother than the hand upon which said glove is worn.
 6. A functionalresistance exercise apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising atorso-covering garment having at least one third loop securely attachedthereto, wherein said second end further comprises a fourth loopsecurable to said third loop.
 7. A functional resistance exerciseapparatus according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said third andfourth loops comprises an openable ring securable to the other of saidthird and fourth loops.
 8. A functional resistance exercise apparatusaccording to claim 1, said at least one first loop being disposed on atleast one of a front side of said main section, a palm side of said mainsection, a wrist portion, or a finger of said glove.
 9. A functionalresistance exercise apparatus according to claim 1, said at least onefirst loop comprising multiple loops disposed on different locations onsaid glove.
 10. A functional resistance exercise apparatus according toclaim 1, said main section further comprising a reinforced portion,wherein said first loop is disposed on said reinforced portion.
 11. Afunctional resistance exercise apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid first loop comprises at least two holes formed in said glove, andwherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threaded throughsaid holes in said glove.
 12. A functional resistance exercise apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein at least one of said first end and saidsecond end comprises an openable ring respectively attachable to saidfirst loop or said substantially fixed point.
 13. A functionalresistance exercise apparatus according to claim 6, said at least onethird loop comprising multiple loops disposed on different locations onsaid torso-covering garment.
 14. A functional resistance exerciseapparatus according to claim 6, said torso-covering garment furthercomprising a reinforced portion, wherein said at least one third loop isdisposed on said reinforced portion.
 15. A functional resistanceexercise apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least one thirdloop comprises at least two holes formed in said torso-covering garment,and wherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threadedthrough said holes in said torso-covering garment.
 16. A functionalresistance exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said firstloop comprises at least two holes formed in said reinforced portion, andwherein at least a portion of said resistive element is threaded throughsaid holes in said reinforced portion.
 17. A functional resistanceexercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said reinforcedportion is less stretchable than said main section.
 18. A functionalresistance exercise apparatus according to claim 14, wherein saidreinforced portion is less stretchable than a main portion of saidtorso-covering garment.
 19. A functional resistance exercise apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein said first loop comprises at least twoholes formed in said reinforced portion, and wherein at least a portionof said resistive element is threaded through said holes in saidreinforced portion.
 20. A functional resistance exercise apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein said third loop comprises at least twoholes formed in said reinforced portion, and wherein at least a portionof said resistive element is threaded through said holes in saidreinforced portion.
 21. A functional resistance exercise apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising an outer cover disposed on saidglove adapted to selectively cover said at least one first loop.
 22. Afunctional resistance exercise apparatus according to claim 21, saidouter cover further comprising a closing mechanism adapted toselectively secure said outer cover over said at least one first loop.23. A functional resistance exercise apparatus, comprising: a glovewearable on a user's hand, said glove having a main section; at leastone resistive load attachment mechanism disposed on said glove, adaptedto receive an attachable load which generates force in opposition to theuser's movement of the hand wearing said glove in at least onedirection.